Behavioral Health Systems Assessment

In March 2014, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority issued a request for proposals in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and the Mat-Su Health Foundation, for the completion of a comprehensive behavioral health systems assessment. The needs of Alaskans and the capacity of the behavioral health system to meet those needs have evolved substantially over the last 10 years (since the last assessment of rural areas). The State-funded behavioral health system has also improved the collection and analysis of quantitative data over that period, which enables a more data-driven analysis of capacity and utilization of services. Like any good systems assessment, the ultimate aim of this effort is to inform decision-making, at the regional and statewide levels, and improve system functioning so that it can produce better outcomes for the people it serves. This assessment builds upon previous and ongoing efforts by DBH and others to assess the behavioral health system funded by state of Alaska Medicaid and behavioral health funds.